I like to write junk...

TOMBSTONE CHATTER

“I was interested in finding the first person buried there and a bit of history about that individual.”

Opened in the early 1970s, Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, serves as a final resting place for the remains and cremains of many residents and visitors. According to Findagrave.com – the cemetery is home to 4,945 gravesites, along with a couple of mausoleums and several columbarium’s.

The gardens were created to provide a peaceful and dignified environment for families to honor and remember loved ones. Over the years, the site has evolved to include landscaped grounds, memorial markers, and spaces dedicated to reflection and remembrance.

As Lake Havasu City grew, the memorial gardens became an integral part of the community, hosting ceremonies and offering support to those in mourning. Its history reflects the city’s commitment to preserving memories and honoring lives within a tranquil desert setting.

I was interested in finding the first person buried there and a bit of history about that individual. It appears that Karl Joseph Baunach is that person. Reared in Germany, Karl was born on March 11, 1898, and died in Lake Havasu City on April 13, 1970.

Married to Theresia Schmitz, in 1948, the couple had two children, Erika and Eric, who have since passed away. Karl’s wife is buried in Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens, with Theresia having died in 1995, some 25 years after him. Their son, Eric, is also buried here.

I tried to find out what brought the Baunachs to Lake Havasu City, with a ship manifest from 1956 showing him to be a shoemaker. That’s the year this family came to America, ultimately landing at Ellis Island. It seems unlikely that a shoemaker would be needed in our fledgling town at such an early period.

Karl was 72 when he passed away, so working in construction also seems unlikely, although some would argue that point. My guess is that he was one of the early realtors. If someone knows for sure they can email me.

Undoubtedly, there’s so much more to be told about Karl Baunach, yet I was only privy to information available through archived newspaper articles, Ancestry.com, and Findagrave.com. Karl’s grandchildren might know some of the history, but the truth is, most young people have little interest in such.

Without question, there are other interesting people buried in Lake Havasu Gardens, and as time allows, I’ll research and release more findings. A graveyard to me is like an open book. What unique and nonstop stories these tombstones would tell – if only they could only talk. It’s up to writers like me to do the chatter for them.

HOCUS POCUS

“Repeating bogus information is not much different than what viewers of CNN and MSNBC do these days.”

A man in worn clothes and a woman in a black dress holding hands and smiling.

With the world in a tizzy, especially in the Middle East, it got me to wondering where the term or phrase, “All is fair in love and war” came from. According to Democrat leftist doves as they were called during the Vietnam War, a war mongering Republican would be the culprit. I found that not to be true and merely political rhetoric.

The phrase “all is fair in love and war” is believed to have originated from the English author John Lyly’s novel “Euphues: The Anatomy of Wit,” published in 1578. This expression suggests that in matters of love and war, people are not bound by the usual rules of conduct or fairness.

It implies that any action, however unconventional or morally questionable, is justified if it helps achieve one’s goals in these two realms. Mainstream media would have President Donald Trump using these tactics regarding Iran, although that isn’t totally the case. It’s more like Iran using such against us and Israel by launching deadly missiles from populated neighborhoods.

In common usage, the term is often quoted to excuse behavior that might otherwise be considered inappropriate or underhanded, emphasizing the intense emotions and high stakes involved in both love and conflict.

Author, John Lyly is best known for his innovative literary style rather than for his political or philosophical views. There is limited evidence regarding Lyly’s personal ideology, and he is primarily recognized for shaping English prose and drama during the Elizabethan era. He was also a very witty character.

While his works reflect the culture and values of his time, it would be inaccurate to label him strictly as a liberal or conservative by modern standards, since those terms did not exist in the same context during the late 16th century.

When I think of “all is fair in love,” I think back to my workdays when a fellow basically stole his best friend’s wife. I didn’t see the act as fair, and neither did anyone else, including both married couple’s children. Sadly, this happens all the time in Hollywood and is oftentimes condoned by the liberal secular crowd.

What I’ve observed with love more than anything is how stupid it can make a person. In the case of these two cheaters, they thought they were in love and had found their perfect soulmates. They stayed together for two years before going separate directions. By then, two families had been wrecked beyond repair. Their impromptu love relationship turned out to be a lust relationship.

John Lyly must not have been talking about fairness in love in this same sense because he stayed with his wife regardless of his literary success. Perhaps John’s wit and humor is what held them together through thick and thin.

Early on, he had a distinct advantage over other suitors when courting because of this. That’s my humble opinion. How a cheerful woman or a man connects with a humorless and dour partner is a question seemingly answered by the term, “opposites attract.”

The phrase “opposites attract” is commonly used to describe the idea that people with different personalities or characteristics are drawn to each other, especially in romantic relationships.

Socialist and accomplished writer, Robert Francis Winch, is credited with the concept beginning in the early 1950s. It is rooted in the theory that complementary differences can create balance and intrigue in partnerships, and it was further popularized by songs, movies, and literature.

There’s no definite proof that opposites attract and that all’s fair in love and war. From my viewpoint, these are just opinions that two writers composed, and after people read their analogy, they began to repeat things as the truth.

In today’s electronic world it’s called going viral. Repeating bogus information is not much different than what viewers of CNN and MSNBC do these days. I guess the same could be said for CBS watchers.

Detective Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) had a saying regarding unsubstantiated statements. “Opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one!”

I tend to believe fictitious Detective Callahan’s take on things over those of John Lyly and Robert Winch. Harry has what’s called, street smarts, a subject unfortunately not taught in today’s colleges.

Man in tweed jacket with a gun in shoulder holster and cigarette on a city street with police cars — Detective Harry Callahan

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY

“April the ninth. It’s here at last.”

Another birthday. Seventy-two. Boston cream pie. Still able to chew.

*******

Places to drive. Stuff yet to do. In my tee-shirt. New Nike shoes.

*******

Ozempic shots. Eliquis pills. Makes my blood thin. Hands easily chilled.

*******

Seventy-two. Years on this earth. Pen-sa-cola. My place of birth.

*******

April the ninth. It’s here at last. Mexican dinner. No time to fast.

*******

I’m so blessed. Made it through life. Drove hot rod cars. A wonderful wife.

*******

Mike’s still kickin’. Great to be here. Others now gone. Sadness and tears.

*******

I’d love to see. Another one. Birthday, that is. With bright orange sun.

*******

Seventy-three. Scheduled next year. Will I be ’round? Gods in charge here!

"So thankful for another one..." — AI generated

STILL KICKIN’

“If you see a similarity−it just might be you…”

After hundreds of crazy and oftentimes inflammatory Facebook posts, perhaps a couple of thousand over 20 years, I wanted the last post to be totally special. To me, this is like retirement all over again.

For this final project, my new and improved AI (artificial intelligence) photo generator asked for early ‘facial only’ images of 12 friends, with the 12th being me. Twelve bodies were all that would fit on the merry-go-round.

This was a tough assignment, yet I succeeded by snipping and copying school yearbooks and classroom photographs. No names or personal information was supplied.

AI somehow aged these people to make them appear in their 70s as if that was hard to do. We all look pretty much the same at that stage. If you see a similarity−it’s probably you−but my lips are sealed on exactly whose mugs were submitted.

I’m extremely happy with the outcome, especially my early Alaska pioneer resemblance. That leather jacket is striking. I was so impressed that I ordered an 8×10 print for the office. That’s a first for me in framing something created entirely by a computer program.

From this day forward, many of my biking, hiking, Jeep adventures, and car show experiences will be permanently housed on the following website: www.michael-hankins.com.

That site and the associated email section are monitored daily unlike fb. The latest goal is to start producing drone videos of mysterious areas unreachable by foot, car, or plane, and preview them on YouTube. Arizona is full of such inaccessible places.

I’m still kickin’ but I’d much rather use my rapidly diminishing time to create entertaining videos watched by many, rather than continue posting redundant info, stories, humorous memes, and photos seen by a few on fb. Nevertheless, I’ll still write for my blog and various periodicals, especially, “The Today’s News-Herald.”

YouTube seems to be growing while Facebook continually suffers from declining group participation. Always one to take an unknown path, new adventures and discoveries hopefully await me around the bend. The ability for drones to scour the desert for treasures has great possibilities. “I’m very excited” is more than an understatement here. 😊

EMULATION EXPERT

“I read Kiyosaki’s book several years ago and learned that I’d adopted a bit of his savviness going back to elementary school.”

Three children in helmets race go-karts on a dusty dirt track. — Anything goes…

Rich Dad, Poor Dad is a best-selling personal finance book written by Robert T. Kiyosaki. The book contrasts the financial philosophies and habits of two father figures in the author’s life—his biological “Poor Dad” and his mentor “Rich Dad.”

Through practical lessons and anecdotes, Kiyosaki emphasizes the importance of financial education, investing, and building assets as keys to wealth. He advocates for thinking differently about money and encourages readers to pursue financial independence by developing skills that aren’t traditionally taught in school.

I read Kiyosaki’s book several years ago and learned that I’d adopted a bit of his savviness going back to elementary school. Robert Kiyosaki mentions in his book several times that the best way to be successful is to emulate or copy those already there. I put that wisdom to work for me early on in fourth grade.

Larelia Sadler sat in front of me, and she always scored high in written tests, especially math, where I was mathematically challenged. I learned that I could emulate her As and Bs by simply copying the answers I didn’t know. It was more survival for me rather than anything else because no kid wants a bad grade.

In car racing this is known as cheating, with winning only invalidated if a racer’s caught. The late Dale Earnhardt Sr. was a professional at this trick along with many others such as A.J. Foyt. The list of those caught with their hand in the cookie jar is miles long.

Cheating in car racing is quite common, often taking the form of bending or breaking rules for a competitive advantage. Teams may use illegal modifications, hidden technology, or even subtle adjustments that go unnoticed to gain an edge.

In many cases, the thrill of competition and the stakes involved lead participants to push the boundaries of what’s allowed, making enforcement and detection an ongoing challenge for racing officials. Teachers in school have that same problem, especially now with the electronic age.

I was never caught, but unfortunately, a classmate sitting behind me in fifth or sixth grade came up on the short end of the stick from “emulation meltdown.” On that day, he thought I was getting all the right answers, but unfortunately, the person in front of me was on the same academic level as him and I. All three of us flunked.

In Junior high. I stopped copying when the risk of a swat or a trip to the principal’s office made the act a bit more painful, along with the embarrassment of others finding out, especially parents. That still didn’t stop some guys. I suppose they eventually ended up in prison or elected office.

I did use Robert Kiyosaki’s advice in an intended way where real estate is concerned and it paid off for retirement purposes. The $9.95 or so I forked out for his book back then was money well spent. This emulation also helped me come in first place in a go cart race with friends.

At a small dirt track in Anchorage, Alaska, I observed a teenage employee reach back and disable the engine governor while driving, letting his machine speed around paying customers. Copying this procedure, I cheated and easily won that race before being barred from the track.

Something tells me that Dale Earnhardt Sr. and A.J. Foyt never had that problem. Perhaps their arms were longer than mine and they didn’t have to completely turn their heads around, which is a dead giveaway!

A schoolboy leaning over to look at a classmate's notebook in a sunlit classroom. — Emulating

KINSLEY, KANSAS

“It appears that Chris tried so hard to be financially successful, that the stress put him in an early grave.”

A vintage postcard sent from Kinsley, Kansas, in 1911, to Birmingham, Michigan, contains about as brief a message as I’ve come across. On the front of this card is a photo of men harvesting wheat near Kinsley.

“Kinsley, Kansas 7-22-11

Dear Cousin Theador,

This leaves us all well and may this find you the same. We are having dry weather for the last 7 weeks.

From your cousin,

Chris Krupps”

To begin with, Kinsley, Kansas is a small town located in Edwards County in the central part of the state. Founded in the late 19th century, Kinsley developed as a stop along the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, which helped boost its growth and economic activity.

The town is known for its unique position as the “Midway, U.S.A.,” being equidistant between New York City and San Francisco, a fact commemorated by a sign in town. Agriculture has long been the backbone of Kinsley’s economy, with wheat, corn, and other crops being cultivated in the surrounding area.

Over the years, the community has weathered periods of drought and boom, as referenced in the letter above, and remains a close-knit town rooted in its farming heritage and small-town values.

Chris Krupp worked at a grain elevator in Kinsley. Newspaper articles describe him as hardworking and investing in local farmland. Christopher (Chris) George Krupp was born on October 7, 1877, in Illinois, with his parents coming from Germany.

He married Anna Amelia Lippoldt, and they had one son, Ulysses. It appears that Chris tried so hard to be financially successful, that the stress put him in an early grave. He died on July 3, 1928, at the age of 50.

The person that Krupp sent the card to, Theador Gierada, was a factory worker in Birmingham, Michigan. Theador was born on November 19, 1893, and died October 17, 1974, at the age of 80. Theador married Agnes Gomula in 1915.

LEON, KANSAS

“This vintage postcard remains a simple yet wonderful reminder of Kansas’s past.”

A vintage picture postcard I came across shows a baby calf being fed milk out of a bucket by a pretty farm girl. The title printed above this colorful photo says: “A Barn Yard Pet.” This card was mailed from Rosalia, Kansas, to Essie Mendenhall in Leon, Kansas. A hand-stamped round postmark says August 3, 1908.

There is no sender’s name, although I believe the card came from Essie’s mother, Amy Mendenhall, or sister, Julia A. Mendenhall-Brickley, all of whom lived near Rosalia. The Mendenhall family was evidently Quaker in religion.

Essie Mendenhall was born on September 23, 1893, according to a newspaper article. She spent all of her life in Butler County, Kansas. Ms. Mendenhall married Jonathan Lee Dennis in Leon on November 8, 1922. Jonathan, a resident of Leon for only two years at the time of their marriage, was eight years younger than Essie. He was born on May 3, 1901.

The couple had one son, Ivan, who lived at home and never married. Census records show Ivan worked as a farmer like his father. Essie’s occupation is listed as housekeeper. Essie L. Mendenhall-Dennis died on May 27, 1983, at the age of 89. Jonathan Dennis passed away four years later on January 3, 1987. He was 85.

Ivan L. Dennis was born on March 20, 1927, and took his last breath on June 23, 2003, at the age of 75. All three members of the Dennis family are buried at Economy Cemetery in El Dorado, Kansas.

Leon, Kansas, is a small city in Butler County, established in the late 19th century amid westward expansion and settlement of the American Midwest. The town grew up around the arrival of the railroad, which brought new residents and economic opportunities, supporting agriculture and local businesses.

Over the decades, Leon became a close-knit rural community, with farming central to daily life and the local economy. Throughout the 20th century, Leon maintained its identity as a quiet farming town with strong Christian beliefs.

Today, Leon is known for its small-town charm, historic roots, and strong sense of community, with nearby landmarks marking the legacy of those who helped shape its history.

Rosalia, Kansas, is a small unincorporated community located in Butler County, just east of Leon. Founded in the late 19th century, Rosalia developed alongside the expansion of the railroad and agriculture, much like other towns in the region.

The town’s early settlers were primarily farmers, and the community grew around the rhythms of rural life, with farming and livestock playing central roles in the local economy. Rosalia has always maintained a modest population, fostering a sense of neighborliness and tradition.

Over the years, it, too, like Leon, became known for its close-knit families, many of whom have lived in the area for generations. Community events, local churches, and schools have been important gathering places, helping to sustain Rosalia’s identity and spirit.

Today, Rosalia remains a quiet rural community, reflecting the enduring legacy of Kansas’s agricultural heritage and the values of its residents. This vintage postcard remains a simple yet wonderful reminder of Kansas’s past.

TIME TO BAIL

“The worst thing that could occur is for someone to steal my personal identity and then sue me down the road, after finding out they ended up with a warped sense of humor.”

I’ve been researching social media for some time, comparing its benefits to any downsides. For many years, benefits seemed to outweigh the negative, yet in the past year alone, or especially since President Trump was reelected, hatred has run amok. Some have totally lost it.

I’ve had obscene messages and disgusting photos mysteriously slip through Facebook. Some of this was from a Chevrolet truck site I joined. Turned out this “group” was run by someone in another country and not from the USA. That’s now quite common. My wife encountered the same.

After vetting our groups, we had to delete several such sites. Someone from China even tried to hack my account several times. They were unsuccessful because of my having a strong password. At this age, it’s not worth the hassle.

While social media once offered numerous benefits, such as connecting with friends and sharing information, it now comes with significant downsides. One major drawback is the potential for privacy breaches. For example, users often unknowingly share personal information that others can access or misuse, leading to identity theft or unwanted solicitation.

Another downside is the impact on mental health. Studies have shown that excessive use of social media can contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness, especially among teenagers. The constant comparison to others’ seemingly perfect lives can lower self-esteem and foster dissatisfaction.

Social media accounts can also facilitate the spread of misinformation. I see this all the time. False news stories or misleading content can be rapidly shared and believed by large audiences, causing confusion and sometimes even harm.

I’ve done this myself in political arenas, but only as a joke. My humor here dealt with candidates from both parties. Unfortunately, on a few occasions, a couple of friends couldn’t discern fiction from reality.

Additionally, social media can be addictive, consuming valuable time and reducing productivity. Many users find themselves spending hours scrolling through feeds, which can interfere with work, study, and personal relationships.

Some people report neglecting important tasks or missing family interactions because they’re engrossed in online activity. I see it all the time in restaurants where multiple people at a table are glued to their devices. Thankfully, I’ve never had that problem.

Finally, cyberbullying is a serious issue on social media platforms for young people. Individuals can be subjected to harassment, threats, or public shaming. These negative interactions can have lasting emotional effects and, in extreme cases, lead to tragic outcomes.

While social media accounts can enhance communication and access to information, they also present risks related to privacy, mental health, misinformation, addiction, and online harassment. Users should be mindful of these downsides and take steps to protect themselves and their well-being.

Over the past three years, I’ve been selectively eliminating my social media information, especially pictures, although this data has been limited from the start. Never wanting my exact residence known, I have used Latouche Island for close to 20 years. My family and friends know where I’m at.

With cyber invasion now a big deal, and identity theft, gut feeling tells me to abandon ship, bail out, or better yet, get off this merry-go-round. I’ll still be quietly monitoring other friends’ posts weekly, but I won’t be reacting or submitting anything myself. I presently have other aspirations, namely, in the YouTube arena.

My excursions and adventures while hiking, biking, or off-roading will continue to be viewable on http://www.michael-hankins.com. By not posting on fb, I’ll not replicate things as I have for ages. Time management is now more important than ever.

Many of my fb friends have wisely ceased posting for years, and it seems to work for them. That’s better than just shutting down an account cold turkey. The reason for even mentioning this is so that my disappearance isn’t rumored to be a death or serious illness, as I’ve seen happen with other longtime fb users.

Perhaps, the worst thing that could occur is for someone to steal my personal identity and then sue me down the road, after finding out they ended up with a warped sense of humor. For those actually believing this final statement, today is April Fools’ Day, and I couldn’t resist. Everything else here is true!

There’s a unique story alone in the creation of this photo.

WHERE THE HART IS

“It was like a scene from an Alaskan postcard, complete with moose and eagles.”

Log cabin in a mountain wilderness with a grazing moose, trampoline, and perched bald eagle. — AI rendition of the Hart’s home near Palmer

I have fond memories of winter holidays when I was a child, with those spent at my grandparents’ in Alabama, the most memorable. Grandpa and Grandma Hankins lived in the tiny town of Vernon, while Papa and Mama Haynes owned a small farm on the outskirts.

Neither grandparent had a television, yet my brother, Jim, and I used creativity to keep ourselves amused. Meal time was always special. We brought tasty things that Mom had prepared beforehand, such as sweet potato casserole, glazed ham, creamed corn, and a package of Brown-n-Serve rolls, which always went in the oven last. Large slices of yummy Boston Cream Cake made for dessert.

We enjoyed our dinner at Grandpa and Grandma Hankins’ house while sitting in front of a crackling fireplace. That’s what they used to keep their small home warm. After eating, Jim and I had a whole gravel pit to play in. We’d toss balls down there with our Boxer dog, “Jet,” or fly kites.

Papa and Mama Haynes kept propane stoves in several rooms. These were never lit at bedtime, with quilts providing warmth throughout the night. I remember Mom once using an electric blanket, and when it was switched to high, the sudden surge popped a fuse.

A large table in the kitchen made for a comfortable place to eat. We generally switched residences each Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner so that no feelings would be hurt. Sometimes, my cousins came down from Birmingham or Mobile, and they always stayed at the Haynes’ place.

My adult holiday memories for both holidays were just as special. Joleen’s sister, Sonja, lived on the outskirts of Palmer, Alaska, with her husband, Charlie, and three children, Deric, Brynn, and Amanda. There was no GPS to guide me there with many turns to remember.

Their picturesque cabin sat up high above the Matanuska River, and it was only a short hike down to the water. It was like a scene from an Alaskan postcard, complete with moose and eagles.

On cold winter days, when the air was crisp and the skies were icy blue, adults and kids alike made use of a large trampoline in the backyard. If you bounced high enough, the river was visible down below through the trees.

I had an artificial intelligence (AI) artist try to duplicate a summer scene here, with it doing a fair-to-middling job. The strong image in my mind can never be replicated as it’s picture-perfect. I only wish I could go back in time and experience those precious moments all over again.

All of our nieces and nephews back then, including our two children, now have kids of their own. Those who are still living in Alaska get to experience what I did. There’s nothing like winter holidays in Alaska, especially experiencing a white Christmas with plenty of snow.

Packed away in numerous albums are photos from my holidays as a boy in Alabama and hundreds of shots from Alaska when I was a young father. One of those pictures shows all of the Hart children on the trampoline, along with Mitchum and Tara Adair, including Gunnar and Miranda. Our youngest niece, Crystal Miller, was yet to be born.

Hanging in my office is a cherished pastel painting by the late Alaskan artist, Jean Matiyas. Jean was a neighbor of ours in Elm-Rich Subdivision. This is an original work, circa 1979, and not a copy. We were fortunate to get it because Jean quit selling her originals and switched to making copies.

The artwork is of an Alaskan cabin on a blustery, cold, snowy evening, with mountains visible and a partially covered moon. Spruce trees are seen, including a nearly frozen-over stream. A building behind the cabin appears to be a workshop, reminiscent of the one my brother-in-law, Charlie Hart, had when the Harts lived out there. Smoke wisps from a chimney.

When I view this painting daily, it takes me back to those wonderful Alaskan Thanksgivings and Christmases. The scene is reminiscent of such. Changing one word here to express my final thoughts, “Where the Hart is” covers a multitude of special occasions in my life, especially the holiday season!

NO KINGS

“I’m only thankful that King Charles and Queen Camilla weren’t here visiting to see it.”

With Lake Havasu City having close ties to Great Britain, and the famous London Bridge and Bridgewater Channel in our city, the “No Kings” rally taking place on McCulloch Boulevard last Saturday seemed oddly out of place.

I’m only thankful that King Charles and Queen Camilla weren’t here visiting to see it, as they might’ve been deeply insulted by the unclear message.

Royalty at its highest level, I’m sure the couple would’ve visited Island Mall for a few knick-knacks and a bite to eat, along with hitting Pink Closet Boutique on Swanson Boulevard. Camilla loves hats, with Pink Closet being the “go-to” place for unique headwear.

Camilla Parker Bowles, now Queen Camilla, was a heavy smoker in her younger days, yet claims that she quit the nasty habit some 20 years ago. King Charles never started, and is an anti-smoking advocate. They say that opposites attract, and this is living proof.

For those members of the monarchy who continue to puff their lives away, what brand of smokes do they prefer? I took on that question and had no trouble finding an answer. It definitely wouldn’t be Marlboro, as the image of a rugged cowboy riding a horse seems light years away from English fox hunters sporting black velvet caps.

Asking my AI helpmate, Miss Purdy, this very question, she came up with the following. According to various reports, members of the English Royal Family who’ve smoked in the past have shown a preference for certain brands.

Specific brands associated with royal smokers have included Benson & Hedges and Rothmans, both well-known British cigarettes, as well as USA-manufactured Chesterfield King. These choices reflect the traditional and sophisticated image often linked to the monarchy.

Chesterfield King is a renowned American cigarette brand that has been part of tobacco history since its introduction in 1912. Originally produced by the Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company, Chesterfield quickly gained popularity for its distinctive blend of tobaccos and stylish packaging.

The brand became especially famous in the mid-20th century, often associated with Hollywood celebrities and politicians. They were featured prominently in movies, advertisements, and pop culture.

The “Chesterfield King” variant was introduced as a premium product, offering a longer cigarette with a classic unfiltered design that harkens back to the original Chesterfield style.

Over the decades, Chesterfield King became a symbol of nostalgia, attracting smokers who appreciated traditional tobacco products. Despite changing tobacco regulations and shifting consumer preferences, Chesterfield King remains a notable name, representing a bygone era of American smoking culture.

I tried to find a store in Havasu that still sells Chesterfield King, but came up empty. It seems they’re now only available in the United Kingdom. Chesterfield is the name of a town in England, so that could have something to do with it.

If Queen Camilla still indulged, perhaps as a closet smoker, and she graciously walked into any one of Havasu’s several smoke shops asking for Chesterfield, the stately lady would undoubtedly be told, “No Kings, but we still have Prince Albert in a can.”